We work for the people of Basking Ridge by listening and responding to their concerns for the betterment of our community.
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Bernards Township Democratic Committee
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From the BTDC
The Bernards Township Democratic Committee (BTDC) Civic Scholarship, founded in 2019, is awarded to a Ridge High School junior or senior who aspires to foster civic engagement and democratic values. The chosen applicant will receive $1,000 and a summer internship with a political candidate. Applications may be submitted to the BTDC Scholarship Committee from March […]
Many efforts sustained by the BTDC are driven, and driven quietly, by civic-minded volunteers who go about the business of building community around them. Doing things like chatting about candidates among neighbors and distributing political signs. Urging friends to attend meetings and rallies. Knocking doors during campaign season, and more. These are just some of […]
Hello! The Spring Equinox, March 20, is just around the corner, and just in the nick of time, as the community has “weathered” through several significant snowstorms that prompted school closings and disruption to transit. I would like to express my gratitude to our Department of Public Works, Police Department, Fire companies and EMT squad […]
The BTDC benefits from all sorts of volunteers who work quietly, consistently and under the proverbial radar. One such volunteer is Bhavani Ravichandran. When asked to canvass, she makes herself available. When called on to plant signs – even multiple signs – in her very visible front yard, the answer is always yes. Bhavani grew […]
Hello and Happy new year! As has been customary, I am sharing an update on the Township Committee actions that have occurred during the month of January. On Tuesday, January 6, we held our annual reorganization meeting. Mr. Brett Hodges and Mr. John Tompkins were sworn in as newly elected Township Committee members. Later, I […]
On Tuesday, January 6, Bernards Township enjoyed an historic occasion – the swearing in of its first Democratic mayor ever, as well as its first Democratic majority in nearly a century. The Warren Craft Room at the Municipal Building on Collyer Lane was jam-packed with residents who witnessed Ana McCarthy’s swearing in as Mayor, John […]
Hello! I hope everyone celebrating has enjoyed a nice holiday season. We hosted our 36th annual Christmas Eve dinner, for the combined Duarte and McCarthy families. This year’s theme, “A Wintry White Christmas” was a wonderful evening of laughter and love. During December the Township Committee held two meetings. At the December 9 meeting, […]
Hailing from Austin, Texas where they met and studied computer science, Linda Ness and Munir Cochinwala have enjoyed decades raising their family in Basking Ridge. While Linda grew up on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota, and Munir in Pakistan, this dynamic pair shares common ground in their support for democracy in all its iterations. […]
On January 6, 2026, the Democrats took the majority on the Bernards Township Committee for the first time since 1938, with the election of John Tompkins and Brett Hodges.
Ana Duarte McCarthy (elected in 2023) became the first Democratic mayor, with John Tompkins sworn in as Deputy Mayor (serving a one year term), and Brett Hodges sworn in as Committeeman for a three year term.
Democrats Serving on the Bernards Township Committee
About Us
The Bernards Township Democratic Committee (BTDC) is dedicated to making our town a better place to live and work, and to solving local issues with transparency, balance and compassion. The committee is made up of a diverse group of conscientious and engaged residents: Men and women in our community, representing a broad range, among other attributes, of cultural backgrounds, races and ethnicities, religions, ages, education and professional experience.
We offer Bernards Township another option at the polls for a new perspective on local government. We are dedicated to bringing a balanced democracy and transparency to the Township Committee.